hehe I haven't heard that for AGES! Also use it to say how useless people are when doing something or asking them do something for you: "You're worse than a wet flannel", or a bit pathetic "ach, stop being such a wet flannel". Ah the English English language is wonderfully expansive

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There doesn't seem to be a definitive answer. It may or may not have started as two words, but its first known appearance in print, second half of 20th century, has it as one word. Here is Michael Quinion's explanation, which should be better than most.

Also use it to say how useless people are when doing something or asking them do something for you: "You're worse than a wet flannel", or a bit pathetic "ach, stop being such a wet flannel". Ah the English English language is wonderfully expansive

We use something similar though it's mostly used in team sports : "You play like a wet newspaper". Flannel of course has more elegance.

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